FSC
Four Fernwood fencers were competing at the English Youth Championships in Hatfield on Saturday.
First up was Arthur Eakin in the U11 men's foil. In only his second competition outside Nottinghamshire and his first EYCs, he performed really well. He lost his first fight, to the top seed in the poule, Faaris El Saie of ZFW in London, then very comfortably won his next two fights. He almost pulled off what would have been an excellent win against Mihkel Archer of Newham Swords, losing 4-5. Arthur then caused an upset by beating George Keogh of London's Salle Paul 5-4 and finished off with a very composed win over a very tall fencer who had been troubling all the other fencers in the poule. Arthur finished 2nd in the poule of 7 and was ranked 17th overall for the DEs. He beat Jack McCann of Paul Davis Fencing Academy in Hertfordshire 10-2 in L64. Arthur was unlucky to meet Ben Turner of ZFW in L32. Turner currently leads the U11 Leon Paul Junior Series rankings and his 16th seeding belied his experience. His hunched over en guarde stance and very attacking style caused Arthur some difficulties. Arthur defended through into the second period but the fight ended 3-10. Arthur's final position was a very commendable 18/60.
Simon Elliot-Bateman, Benedict Murray and Luke Rutherford (each fencing in the EYCs for the first time) had a tough time in the U15 men's foil. In this age group, most of the competitors have been fencing both for a long time and compete regularly. Simon was struggling badly with tonsilitis and wasn't able to match his recent competitiveness in the Luton Open, but all credit to him for fencing on the day. Luke was fencing well when he attacked rather than was pushed back and a 5-0 win showed him what he could achieve. Benedict scrapped with considerable spirit and was unlucky not to get a win against Finlay Graham of London's Salle Paul in a 4-5 loss and similarly in a 3-4 loss which went into priority time. he also took 3 points off Louth's Sam Blair, who made L8. In the DEs, Simon went out to Jean-Baptiste Baigneres of Camden Fencing Club, finishing 61st, Benedict went out to Sam Blair, finishing 57th and Luke lost to Duncan Ashby, of St Benedict's in London, finishing 50th.
Finally, Ed was refereeing for much of the day. He then piste coached Will Lonsdale of Louth Fencing Club from L32 in the U15 men's foil. Will recently won U16 men's foil at the British Youth Championships and almost did the double, losing 13-15 in a very exciting final to Rafael Rhys-Pollitt of Fencers Club London (who was being coached by a current GB team senior fencer, a former GB team senior fencer and a former Poland team senior fencer!).
Ed and James are next in fencing action this Saturday, at the Yorkshire team Foil.